Reinforced fiber container having safety feature

ABSTRACT

A tubular fiber container is reinforced by a nesting tubular fiber liner. In the formation of the latter, an inturned edge or shoulder is created which protects the user from the exposed raw edge of the end closure when the central portion thereof is removed. By reason of the double wall thickness provided, the container lends itself to vacuum packaging, ordinarily not possible with fiber containers.

United States Patent Rogers 1 Mar. 14, 1972 [54] REINFORCED FIBER CONTAINER HAVING SAFETY FEATURE [72] Inventor: Roy E. Rogers, Glendale, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Container of America,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Feb. 9, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 9,670

Corporation [52] US. Cl...- ..220/54, 220/63, 220/65, 229/14 R [5 l] Int. Cl. ..B65d 17/24, B65d 25/14, B65d 25/34 [58] Field of Search ..220/54, 48, 27, 63, 65, 90.6; 229/14, 5.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,527,377 9/1970 Colbyetal ..220/54 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall AttorneyCarpenter, Ostis & Lindberg [57] ABSTRACT A tubular fiber container is reinforced by a nesting tubular fiber liner. In the formation of the latter, an intumed edge or shoulder is created which protects the user from the exposed raw edge of the end closure when the central portion thereof is removed. By reason of the double wall thickness provided, the container lends itself to vacuum packaging, ordinarily not possible with fiber containers.

2 Claims, 3 Dra g Figures PATENTEDHAR 14 1972 3,648 881 INVENTOR ROY E. ROGERS ATTORNEYS REINFORCED FIBER CONTAINER HAVING SAFETY FEATURE On the other hand, fiber containers generally do not lend themselves to vacuum packing by reason of the weakness of the wall of the container, and the invention herein comprehends an inner nesting extra wall thickness in the form of a tube having an inturned flange cooperating with the can end and shielding the hand against the exposed raw edge.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a can embodying the improvements according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the position of the tubular liner with reference to a removal section of the can closure;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, and showing how the resiliency of the inturned flange of the liner causes the same to move to a position guarding the raw exposed edge of the closure after the central portion has been removed therefrom.

The improved container according to the present invention is denoted by the reference numeral 10, and includes an outer tubular body which is preferably formed of paperboard. Body 11 has secured to opposite ends thereof a pair of end walls indicated generally at 12, which are formed of metal such as steel or aluminum.

One of the end walls 12 includes an annular outer portion 14 having a flange section 16, secured to the adjacent end of the can body in a conventional manner, and a peripheral section 18 which extends radially inwardly from flange section and the end of tubular body 11.

End wall 12 also includes a central panel portion 20 which occupies the majority of the surface area of the can end, and is detachably connected to the peripheral section by a weakened score line 22. While the score line 22 is shown as being formed on the outer surface of the can end, when desirable, a similar score line may be formed on the inner surface instead.

Central portion 20 may be provided with a pull tab 26 to permit it to be pulled up and detached from the peripheral section at the score line 22. As seen in FIG. 3, when the central portion is removed from the peripheral portion, a free edge 24 of raw metal is exposed. This presents a danger of cuts to the hand of a person upon contact with said raw edge.

Structure is provided for both reinforcing the tubular body 11 and shielding the exposed edge 24. To this end a tubular reinforcing sleeve 27 is nested within tubular body 11, and is preferably adhered thereto by glue patches GP. Reinforcing sleeve 27 is cut from a stick thereof, not shown, in a fashion well known in the art of forming containers by helically winding paper layers on a mandrel. The stick formed thereon is severed into length as desired, by rotating knives. In the severing operation sleeve 27 is formed with an inturned flange 28.

FIG. 2 shows flange 28 hearing against the underside of central portion 20 in proximity to the score line 22. When the central portion 20 is removed, the resiliency of the flange 28 causes the same to move against the exposed edge 24 to guard the user against cuts and abrasions thereby.

I claim:

I. In an improved container having:

a. a tubular body member;

b. a pair of end members secured to opposite ends of said tubular body member;

c. one of said end members including an outer rim portion:

i. a central portion defined by a fracturable line of weakness and detachably connected at its outer edge to an inner edge of said outer rim portion;

ii. and exposing upon removal of said central portion a raw inner edge on said outer rim portion; and

d. the improvement in said container for strengthening said tubular body member and for affording protection against said raw inner edge upon removal of said detachable inner portion which comprises:

i. a tubular reinforcing sleeve made of fibrous material nested within said tubular body member and having: a. an integral truncated conical portion at one end thereof:

i. the edge of said truncated portion bearing against the said one end member adjacent said line of weakness;

2. An improved container according to claim 1 wherein said tubular reinforcing sleeve is adhered to the inside of said tubular body member. 

1. I.n an improved container having: a. a tubular body member; b. a pair of end members secured to opposite ends of said tubular body member; c. one of said end members including an outer rim portion: i. a central portion defined by a fracturable line of weakness and detachably connected at its outer edge to an inner edge of said outer rim portion; ii. and exposing upon removal of said central portion a raw inner edge on said outer rim portion; and d. the improvement in said container for strengthening said tubular body member and for affording protection against said raw inner edge upon removal of said detachable inner portion which comprises: i. a tubular reinforcing sleeve made of fibrous material nested within said tubular body member and having: a. an integral truncated conical portion at one end thereof: i. the edge of said truncated portion bearing against the said one end member adjacent said line of weakness; ii. and being constructed and arranged to move into contact with said raw inner edge upon removal of said central portion to protect a user of said container from sad raw inner edge. yAn improved container according to claim 1 wherein said tubular reinforcing sleeve is adhered to the inside of said tubular body member. 